Beethoven's Violin Sonatas

Beethoven described his 10 Violin Sonatas, written over 15 years in the "early" and "middle" periods of his career, as works "for piano and violin". We tend to think of them as the reverse: for solo violin with piano accompaniment.

The misconception is ours, not Beethoven's. Except in the earliest examples – the three youthful sonatas in Opus 12 – the two instruments achieve satisfying balance, each a robust character grabbing at every ounce of melodic and harmonic invention Beethoven offers.

German violinist Isabelle Faust, playing a Stradivarius, and her ebullient, perceptive pianist, Russian Alexander Melnikov on a Steinway, are ideal partners, wrestling with the musical dialogue with poise, imagination and freshness. The constant interplay of tune and accompaniment, whether as teasing embellishment or bold contrast, gives these works a vitality which Faust and Melnikov unlock in their music-making.

This four-disc set, indicates the seriousness of their approach. They have gone back to Beethoven's original manuscripts to sharpen their understanding of music they have played since youth. The result is direct, unvarnished performances, informed both by period instrument technique and, in Faust's case especially, by considerable experience of playing contemporary music. This reveals itself in an analytical clarity, specially in the last of the set, the bewitching No 10 in G major, Op 96.

Surprising though it now seems, given the preponderance of female string players in modern orchestras, the violin used to be considered a man's instrument. Anne-Sophie Mutter was the first woman to record a complete cycle only a decade ago, joining a catalogue of greats such as Oistrakh, Szeryng, Stern and Perlman and preferring a meaty, more romantic sound. The playing on this new Harmonia Mundi set is so taut and vivid that these older, much admired recordings sound stolid in comparison.

 Outside the world of violinists, the best known of the 10 are those with nicknames, the radiant "Spring" Sonata in F major Op 24 and the majestic "Kreutzer" Op 47, which inspired a Tolstoy story. Faust and Melnikov make light, supple work of the opening allegro of the "Spring", with discreet use of vibrato and no heaviness in phrasing or ornament. Their "Kreutzer" is vigorous and free from portentousness. Outstanding, and essential listening.

Credits : Beethoven Complete Violin Sonatas -- A Review
               By Fiona Maddocks
               The Guardian, Sunday September 27, 2009
               

A Short Glimpse Into Beethoven's Music

I will now attempt to give you a short glimpse into the Fabulous Compositions of Ludwig Van Beethoven.

Beethoven composed 9 Symphonies and My Personal Favourites are His 5th and 7th Symphonies simply because of the range of sound produced by the Orchestra in attendance.

Beethoven's Nine Symphonies conducted by Herbert Von Karajan are simply out of this world. 

 Beethoven as He is better known composed 32 Piano Sonatas spanning many years of his Life.

His most famous Piano Sonatas were the Appassionata Piano Sonata, Pathetique Piano Sonata, Moonlight Piano Sonata, Pastoral Piano Sonata, Waldstein Piano Sonata, and Les Adieux Piano Sonata.

These Piano Sonatas composed by Beethoven give you an understanding of his intelligence and his love for the environment which became a part of his Repertoire while composing these Classics. 

Wilhelm Kempff is known as the "Best Pianist" in the Western World to have played all 32 Piano Sonatas. Artur Schnabel is known as The "First Pianist" in the Western World to have played all 32 Piano Sonatas.

Beethoven also composed Sonatas For The Violin and the Piano. His Most Famous is the "Kreutzer Violin Sonata". As soon as Beethoven composed this particular Violin Sonata which was not known as the Kreutzer Violin Sonata then because he first approached a French Black Violinist living in Paris at that time who excused himself from playing it on some ground or the other.

Beethoven immediately on learning about this approached Monsieur Kreutzer another Violinist who gladly played it for Beethoven. Hence, It came to be known as the "Kreutzer Violin Sonata".

Beethoven also composed some Beautiful and Astounding Music solely for the Violin. His Most famous String Trios and String Quartets have been performed to Packed Audiences over the last several decades by a German Violinist by the name of Anne Sophie Mutter. She does a perfect job in playing them. They sound outstanding so I am told.

Among Beethoven's String Quartets the most famous and popular one is the "Rasumovsky Quartet".

It is so called because it was dedicated to Count Rasumovsky a Russian Count.

Count Rasumovsky funded Beethoven to a large extent as he was very fond of the String Quartets that he was composing at that time.

Finally, Last but not the least Beethoven composed innumerable Piano Works the most famous piece being "Fur Elise" My Personal Favourite. He also composed some Cello Sonatas that is to say Music For the Cello and the Piano that is literally Music To Die For.

What am I trying to say by all this -- Simply That Beethoven's Instrumental Music is Heavenly and Ethereal.

Greetings

My name is Eustace D'sa. I live in Mumbai, India. I am a Classical Music Fan and I am a lover of the Instrumental Masterworks of Beethoven.

Beethoven's Masterworks are awesome and excellent in more ways than one. Since, I have a Weak Back, I have found that the Instrumental Masterworks of Beethoven are extremely "Therapeutic" for mind, body, and soul.

I specially recommend "Beethoven's Masterworks" to anyone and everyone.

I specially love Beethoven's Piano Sonatas, Violin Sonatas, Piano Trios, and Chamber Music.

Welcome to this exclusive Blog on the Life and Music of Beethoven.

This Exclusive Blog on Beethoven is my way of saying "Thank You Beethoven".

Beethoven's Music has given me a reason to "LIVE".